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A review by stevendedalus
Empire of Cotton: A Global History by Sven Beckert
4.0
The story of industrialisation and capitalism told through cotton, which Beckert makes a strong case as the most important driver of the modern, interconnected age.
At first seemingly esoteric, Beckert is able to apply cotton to essentially every advancement of the modern age (though the section on modern globalization is short, probably because it has been done before.)
The most interesting aspects are Beckert's advocacy for the strong role of the state in creating the cotton empire, from providing the violent resources for "war capitalism", then enforcing the exploitation that helped it evolve to industrial capitalism. He is very interested in the interplay between capital, nations, and the people, both foreign and domestic that exploit, and are exploited by the system.
It serves as a reminder that a lot of the riches of the Western world have a very dark past
The analysis of slavery, poverty, mercantilism, and innovation is deft and far more interesting than it should be.
At first seemingly esoteric, Beckert is able to apply cotton to essentially every advancement of the modern age (though the section on modern globalization is short, probably because it has been done before.)
The most interesting aspects are Beckert's advocacy for the strong role of the state in creating the cotton empire, from providing the violent resources for "war capitalism", then enforcing the exploitation that helped it evolve to industrial capitalism. He is very interested in the interplay between capital, nations, and the people, both foreign and domestic that exploit, and are exploited by the system.
It serves as a reminder that a lot of the riches of the Western world have a very dark past
The analysis of slavery, poverty, mercantilism, and innovation is deft and far more interesting than it should be.